"You dumb men of Viridia! Why make hateful enemies out of us Women that if as loved allies instead, we would foolishly kneel beside you in timeless devotion!"

-Naga Gazhafina, Slayer of a thousand sons

©

The Alchemist entered the Apothecary with the Diplomat limping beside him. Feeling Laguna's probable last breaths down his shoulders.

"We need a clear tabletop to lay him on, he was asphyxiated!" He cried out when he saw Miriam and Hildred resting by the hearth.

But they were unmoving, his mum was blanketed and blank while Hildred kept rubbing on her back.

"Oh Sweet Apple-plum, you're finally here for your mum." Hildred told in relief, Miriam's head still leaning on the warmth of her shoulder. Sion's heart sunk from the after-storm disaster that frowned on his mum's face, but his heart sprung back when he saw a towering Ocmenian walk to the hearth to serve the ladies tea.

"Wait, Laguna?" Sion looked quizically as the weight on his shoulder started to lighten, the body beside him began to dissolve into golden grains of sand that escaped through the cracks of the floor.

"Then that means... "

"Sion, I'm not dying and there's no need for a clear tabletop to lay me on." Laguna crossed his arms. "But I don't mind if you still insist." He flashed him a playful smirk. The recent Laguna was a clone all along, the mysteries of the arcane are starting to astonish and irritate the young alchemist.

"I seriously thought you were dying!" Sion scratched his head. "Was it all just an illusion? damn, I was so worried..."

"Well, my apologies. I just didn't think that your friend there would not hesitate smothering the air out of me if given the chance." The diplomat laughed heartily. "I may be unharmed but he did a great job removing a cycle-worth properation of protective seals." Laguna pointed at his back, now emptied of the intricate tattoes of Runic Engineering. "But everything is fine, don't worry."

"Don't speak like it was nothing... " the boy took a deep breath. "I'm just glad no one was hurt because of him."

"Do you really place such small belief in your teacher's strength? the outcome won't be the same if I was physically out there fighting and not pulling arcane strings."

"Don't shrug this off..."

"What do you mean?"

"Ian is a force to be reckoned with. You haven't heard a single rumor about his accomplishments in the sea and I wish you won't. I am always right beside him each day and yet I still don't see those savage rumors about him to be true."

"No worries, I won't provoke him any longer if that's what you wish."

"Unma lih, hant Loklok kon-Sanko mi fleh ohk maobe!" Queen Hildred shouted from the fireplace.

(Young one, don't smother your husband-to-be and help me here instead!)

"Oh, that grouchy woman!"

"I heard that! Unma lih!"

"What happened to you, mum?" Sion knelt besides Miriam and Hildred. "Mum?" his mother's hands were no different than the snow outside when he held them.

"Miriam, kon'bono zima shalthain kon..." Hildred nudged Miriam.

(Miriam, your son is talking to you...)

After a few crackle of firewood, Miriam finally spoke, "How many have to die so you could feel loved?" Sion wasn't sure if his mom was talking to him or to herself, but he is sure how she's far from stable.

He had seen Miriam several times like this before, but this was the worse. It would all start whenever Miriam would excitedly rush out and be gone for days or weeks after receiving a letter from the same person- Alzhina Fida. But when she gets home, she would always be dead within. Like a part of her was always taken away everytime.

"Stay here Apple-plum, I just need to get something."

"Sure thing..." Sion replaced Hildred's position then continued to caress Miriam's slouched back.

"Unma lih, varth konbaq deram mi fleh ohk." Hildred gestured over Laguna.

(Young one, make yourself useful and help me.)

"Jazo, Masvamia..."

(Alright, Grandmother...)

"Mum, what happened to you?" Sion concerned, but silence met him again.

He doesn't complain though, a silent Miriam is better than an angry one at any time of the cycle.

"Sweet Apple-plum! Where do you keep the alembics in this apothecary?" Hildred asked from the far room.

"We have one on the lowest cupboard of the black cabinet, hard to miss!" Sion shouted back.

"Is this durable enough for pressurized heating of Mournshroom Extracts!?" Hildred asked.

"For that, get from the second-lowest cupboard instead, it is of Zhoutanian brand so it is more durable!"

"Oh, thanks darling I see it now! Laguna, won't you pick it up for me, it's too heavy!" Hildred shouted.

"By the beloved- Masvamia! No need to shout at me..."

Silence still met Sion no matter what interaction he does to his mother. He could hear the activities of the Ocmenian visitors from the laboratories, it smells like they are brewing a potion together.

"Mum, I swear if you meet with this Alzeina Fida again I won't hesitate to move in Ian's inn so I won't pamper you like one of the slum-kids." Sion warned, making Miriam stare at his face, her eyes reflecting schemes of depression.

"How many have to die so you could feel loved?" Her voice broke.

"Mum, I don't know what you're insisting..."

"Still playing dumb my son? Do I look like a fucking fish to you?" she pursed her chapped lips.

"So, once again, how many have to die so you could feel loved?"

"No one, Mum, No one..." Sion answered.

"Then what the fuck are you doing with Ian's mind? We both know that he would kill that envoy of peace any chance you don't look yet you still toy with his feelings?" Miriam whispered.

"He is just confused, Mum. He might be lost in strange seas as of the moment but the Sailor will come back to shore."

"Oh, for fuck's sake! All the rumors you don't want to believe are true. He is the Net-Impaler of Dirge, The pillaging maniac of the north..."

"Don't talk nonsense mum..."

"Remember the news about the shipwreck of a noble family from the Tri-state? Guess who was gone for a trip last moon ago..." Miriam continued to count.

"And, oh! I wonder why there's a serial killer on the loose..."

"I can't believe you're doing this..."

"Oh darling, he doesn't even spare the children."

The boy covered his mouth, unbelieving of his mother's statements.

"He was a distributor of Crestine Salts to the druglords across the sea and the same sailor who was seen with Captain Gorebones in Lonesome Isles a few days ago. And for the most obvious rumor you don't believe the most, he is in love with you!"

"You old crone- what has gotten into you?!"

"Don't deny me boy!"

"Oh, really? What about you? Huh? How many have to die so you could feel loved!?" Sion returned the question. "Each time you meet with that letter-mate of yours, you always come home like a craven little bitch! Dead inside and all!"

"How many times are you going to kill yourself for someone who just torments you over and over and over and over and over again!? I don't even know them!" Sion raged which invited the silence once again, the crushing of ingredients and the alembic boiling in the laboratory are the only noises that are of attendance.

"Ask your Sailor, I'm sure he understands..." Miriam slowly stood up then paced to the laboratory, leaving Sion alone to replace her miserable brooding in the fireplace.

"What the fuck are you brewing in my laboratory?"

"Finally! she's back from the dead..."

"Shut up Mamba Prika..."